The 55th Hunger Games

Chapter 17

        I wake inside the icy snow cave. Despite the freezing cold I feel a rushing warmth, and that heat cannot be owed to the thermal blanket alone. I lie there for a second longer, absorbing the warmth before I get a very unwelcome drop of liquid on my face.

        I sit up very slightly and quickly, and with the slightest brush of my head on the snow roof, it caves in collapsing upon me, chilling my bare hands and face. A shudder of shock escapes my lips, and suddenly I see the sun, twinkling in front of my eyes.

        "Taslim," Says Aponi's very sweet, and slightly startled voice.

        I see her rush over to me and kneel down.

        "Aponi," I splutter, "What is happening?"

        "Oh Taslim," She says, her voice excited. "The sun has grown warm and the snow is melting. I am sure we will be free of it soon! It was lovely for a while, but so very cold and difficult to walk through. I think the trees are very happy about it too! The snow is beginning to fall off their branches and the ice restricting them is melting. They will all soon be happy once more!"

        I don't completely take in everything she is saying. I am still very weary despite having just had a roof of snow collapse on my head.

        "The snow is melting?" I finally register.

        Aponi nods vigorously in front of me. "Yes, it will soon be gone. We will be able to find food again and we won't starve!"

        Despite being weary and covered in snow, the happiness and light pouring out of her eyes is enough to make me smile and pull myself out of the snow. I pull the blanket after me and tuck it away inside the pack by the fire.

        "That is good," I answer her, "But the falling snow will be dangerous. We must watch our heads. Also, it means the Careers will be after us quickly soon, so we must get away as stealthily as possible and put as much distance as we can between us and them."

        "Of course!" She says brightly, "When will we leave?"

        "As soon as we can. Just let me warm up a little." I reply, sitting by the fire and stoking it with a stick.

        I rub my eyes with my sleeve, clearing them of their blur, and soak up the warmth of both the fire and blazing sun. The gamemakers have grown board of this chill it seems. They want us out running and fighting, not quivering inside our snow holes, caves and tents. The audience thirsts for action.

        I suspect at this moment that the three Careers and Samantha will be raking in the sponsors. I suppose that since Samantha is earning them, it is only fair that she should receive whatever packages Seamus decides to send down to her.

        I wonder if she has received anything yet. I think it would be only wishful thinking to imagine that I was getting sponsors too. I am not big or strong. I have made no kills yet, and as much as it infuriates me to admit it, I have decided to team up with Aponi, and many would consider this a poor choice for me to secure victory. Even last night I had said that I would put Aponi's life before my own. So why do I have a little flicker of hope that I may have some sponsors?

        When I am warm I get to my feet and kick snow over the fire, quenching it of its light and heat. We will not come back here tonight.

        We leave our camp and again pass the tree which now bears two carved symbols marking the death of Aponi's district partner.

        "Goodbye Kedeth." She whispers as we leave the tree behind.